Need a good, trustworthy shop in City of LA for Maintenance

[MPG_LOL]

Hi,

My car has various minor issues that collectively warrant bringing the car in to a professional.

It's leaking more oil that I would like, I get a 'whirring' noise at low speed after driving it hard (for a short time), and the A/C barely functions (does not BLOW COLD). Also the clutch went to the floor during a track day a few months ago, once the car cooled down we were able to pull the pedal up and have no further issues.

I suspect the 'whirring' sounds could be related to the power steering.. but I'm really not sure.

The car has about 130,000 miles, I've done the RBs, TAs. replaced valvecovers and gaskets. Motor mounts are fresh. Oil changed every 5,000 miles. I'm on the original clutch.

I would like to have these issues addressed by a shop that actually has deep experience working on E9X M3s. For major work on my car I've taken it down to MRF but I'd greatly prefer to get this taken care of in LA (live in Hollywood). In LA for small stuff I've taken it to standard BMW indy shops with mixed results, but for these items I'd rather not leave it with a guy who has to 'figure it out'.

Any thoughts?

[charliev68]

EAS!

[Yoddha]

Originally Posted by charliev68

EAS!

For some reason, you're not going to find any reputable shops in the municipality of Los Angeles...All of the ones worth their salt are located closer to Anaheim/Orange County/Laguna.

EAS is a good option, as is MRF Engineering. I used to go to MRF alot but it becomes quite a burden to have to commit whole days to drop off and pick up your vehicle.

[gregthegr8]

I would say, having been a long-time BMW owner and forum member that the top 2 and most reputable LA indy's will be Pit Stop Motor Tuning and Avus Autosport, both in Glendale. Granted, I haven't taken my new-to-me M3 to either yet, but have taken my other BMWs to both and always been happy. I'm a little paranoid about my M3 as well and will be curious with your experience.

I'm also considering EAS as well and may be reaching out to them shortly since Avus is seemingly no longer a Dinan-authorized dealer it seems and I was considering getting some coding done as well. Whatever you ultimately decide, please share as I think a lot of us are in the same boat and could benefit. I have the same issue and it's not very conducive to blow a whole day or make the long drive to OC.

[MPG_LOL]

EAS and MRF are good shops, no question.
It's just a pain in the ass to get there hence why I'm trying to stay local.
When I go to MRF I take the train back, then have my wife take me to get the car.. it burns a ton of time.

Will look more into the Glendale shops since that's not oppressively far from where I live.

[Scrippy]

OP would you consider doing any work yourself? I’d bet your oil leak is the oil filter housing gasket. The belts are all there as well. I wonder if your oil filter housing gasket is shot and that’s your oil loss. The belts and tensioners might be suffering as a result. You could do these yourself at just the parts cost. Maybe the water pump and thermostat could be performed as well and they are all related to the same tear down. Could be done over two days in your garage.

[roastbeef]

if you're way up in LA, mini corsa has a good reputation. i've never used them, but i've met him at the track.

https://www.minicorsa.com/

[1209582]

jmp autowerkz in canoga park

european auto source in anaheim

pit stop motor tuning in glendale

[Melbourn3]

Pit stop motor tuning. By far the best shop I have ever went to.

[North.E92]

For the La area

Castro motorsports
Auto talent
Jmp

[MPG_LOL]

Dropped the car off this AM at minicorsa. Seems to be in good hands, thanks mr. beef!

[UBERV8]

LA area - Pit Stop Motor Tuning

SGV area - RTMotorwerks and BMR Shop (I've been gate keeping them for too long hehe)

OC area - EAS

There are a few other reputable BMW ///M specific shops but these have been my main spots for 10+ years.

[mitrakhalilir]

Originally Posted by Yoddha

For some reason, you're not going to find any reputable shops in the municipality of Los Angeles...All of the ones worth their salt are located closer to Anaheim/Orange County/Laguna.

EAS is a good option, as is MRF Engineering. I used to go to MRF alot but it becomes quite a burden to have to commit whole days to drop off and pick up your vehicle.

do not use MRF unless you want to get ripped off

[aus]

Another vote for AutoTalent in Gardena.
They can do coding too
.

[Yoddha]

Originally Posted by mitrakhalilir

do not use MRF unless you want to get ripped off

Care to elaborate?

[retr0rgade]

Originally Posted by MPG_LOL

Hi,

My car has various minor issues that collectively warrant bringing the car in to a professional.

It's leaking more oil that I would like, I get a 'whirring' noise at low speed after driving it hard (for a short time), and the A/C barely functions (does not BLOW COLD). Also the clutch went to the floor during a track day a few months ago, once the car cooled down we were able to pull the pedal up and have no further issues.

I suspect the 'whirring' sounds could be related to the power steering.. but I'm really not sure.

The car has about 130,000 miles, I've done the RBs, TAs. replaced valvecovers and gaskets. Motor mounts are fresh. Oil changed every 5,000 miles. I'm on the original clutch.

I would like to have these issues addressed by a shop that actually has deep experience working on E9X M3s. For major work on my car I've taken it down to MRF but I'd greatly prefer to get this taken care of in LA (live in Hollywood). In LA for small stuff I've taken it to standard BMW indy shops with mixed results, but for these items I'd rather not leave it with a guy who has to 'figure it out'.

Any thoughts?

I'm in Santa Monica and I usually have the ppl down at Superformance (Ask for Devin, even though he usually answers the phone) do my work since i'm not experienced enough to trust myself to work on the car yet lol, they did my rod bearings and did a great job! Same goes for oil changes, etc, can't recommend them enough!

[MrSlickk]

Another +1 for mini Corsa
He’s the main person I go to for all my M cars

[TboneS54]

There's also the M shop in south glendale / north east LA.

Techcraft in irwindale, thouugh he's more of a specialist in RBs (and e46 m3 racp).

Racewerkz in Burbank.

[Mjlevine]

Originally Posted by Yoddha

Care to elaborate?

I’ll say he has had my car for over two months with no communication on his end I have to be the one reaching out and contacting him and then the date keeps getting pushed back ( I blew the Motor and am replacing it) he received a motor to replace it and sent it back without letting me know said it wasn’t up to his standards delaying the process again and now is saying he has a new motor and needs more parts that are on the way apparently and pushed my date back again the car was delivered to him DEC 11 2023 messaged me DEC 15 saying it’s done with my name in the text and then says oops wrong person and then says it’s blown later that day I got the funds for a new motor and gave deposit DEC 30 then JAN 25 he says he returned the new motor then one week later the newest motor should have arrived and was never told it arrived until I asked on FEB 7 I was told it should be done a week later around FEB 14 then was told FEB 21 and now it should be ready hopefully by FEB 24 I’ll update this thread if it’s delayed again

[Mr. M3]

ABS auto body in El Monte. They specialize in E9x. They only handled exterior work for me, but I am assuming they do engine work as well.

[m3peat]

I know a guy in Van Nuys. Former bmw master tech but went out on his own. He works on all cars now but most cars I see at his place (out of his home) are bmw’s.
PM me if interested. I’ve been using him for 5 years now. Prices have gone up but still much better than the stealer.

[Shmelgy]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

if you're way up in LA, mini corsa has a good reputation. i've never used them, but i've met him at the track.

https://www.minicorsa.com/

Minicorsa all day